The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1887-05-26
Soldiers Monument at Monroe.

oh frlday last a journal representative accom-
panied Capt. A. E. Clark, of this city, to Monroe,
to witness the erection of monument by the enter
prising citizens OF that town to pcrpctuate the
memory Of the gallant men of Monroe who de-
Tended their country's flag in two wars. The
movement was begun one year ago, and the monu
ment will be dedicated on Memorial Day. Col. W.
II. Foglcr, of Belfast will deliver the address. A
dinner will be served in the hall, and if the day is
pleasant there will he a large attendance.
The Grand Army Post at Monroe contains
members from many surrounding towns. 1t was
not considered advisable to ask the Post, as a
body. to contribute to this enterprise, but
citation was formed of resident members who
have pushed the matter to final success. Much
opposition had to be overcome, as many said
monument could not be erected. They did not
know Of what material the soldier boys of Monroe
were composed. If any doubts remained they
were dispclled Friday afternoon when the
beautiful monument erected in full view of the
village. The monument occupies a site west of the
cemetery, land donated, to the association by Mr.
Freeman Atwood, who has been very active in the
matter and to whom the soldiers are greatly i'll
debted. Mr.. Atwood told the boys to fence in as
much of his land they desired for their purpose
a.
reserved for the burial of soldiers only. The site
is all that could be desired. Itadjoins the cemetery
and is about midway between the trotting park
and the village, on the most elevated land in the
vicinity. The monument can be seen not only
from the entire village, but for miles around.
The monument was furnished by the White
Bronze Company, of Bridgeport, Conn, and is
the first soldiers monument of the kind erected IN
Maine. One has since been set up ut Mechanics
Falls. The material is refined zinc, colored to
resemble polished granite, and it is claimed that
it never dscoors ruSts, or corroles AS 1t is q
metal and cast from moulds any design required
can be made The list price of the Monroe monu-
mcnt was 81 800, but a liberal discount was made
IN view of the fact that was the first to be ordered
from Maine. The monument arrived at Brooks last
Friday morning accompanied by Mr. Barnum, one
of the company agents. Two teams hauled it to
Monroe, arriving there shortly after dinner. a
foundation lad been built and derrick erected,
and the work of setting the monument was begun
Immediately upon arrival. 1t in three sec
lions, the last live-sized statue of a soldier at
parade rest. The whole monument is eighteen
feet high and five feet square at the base. The
first section rests upon rough asher above which
Is the die and cap. The whole is beautifully and
artistically finished Upon the four sides of the
cap are the words: "Appomattox,' "Port Hud-
son." gettysburg" and 'Wilderness," the prin-
cipal engagements in which Monroe soldiers par
tcipated. The panels of the die contain pa nanes,
in raised letters. Forty four of the names are
those of soldiers of the war of ISl2 two of the
revolution and the remainder those Of the war of
the rebellion. On the base is the following: ITO
the perpetual memory of the defenders of the
Union. lSGllSG5. Erected by the Monroe Soldiers
Monument Association, May 50, 1887" On an
other side
"Yet loved ones have fallen and still where they
\ sorrowing nation shall silently weep,
And springs brightest flowers with gratitude
strew
DER those who once cherished the red, white and
blue"
On the third side
Erected on land presented to the Soldiers hy
Freeman Atwood, of Monroe"
On the four sides of the plinth the next section,
are the emblems of the Grand Army, the anchor
Il cayalryman and an eagle and coat of arms. On
the plintl stands the statue of the volunteer sol
der, with his face towards the east.
The land around the monument will be graded
and at the four corners will be placed the cannon
which Congressman Milllken obtained from the
government. The whole will be fenced in and
cared for by the citizens.
The name of Peggy Lilly is on tic monument
Tradition says that she was a negro woman who
dressed in mems attire and enlisted in Washing
tons army rs drummer boy. She was born Il
slave but ran away to enter the army and served
until her sex was discovered. Then Peggy Went
into the hospital where she nursed the sick and
wounded soldiers. After the declaration of peace
which made the colonies free and independent
nation, Peggy became wanderer upon the face
of the earth, and came to Monroe where the re
mainder Of her life was spent a town pauper, and
where she died more than forty years ago. TIL.
soldier boys of Monroe placed her name upon. tn,
monument to keep alive Her memory. Lieut.. VIM
Winchcl, whose name Is on the monument, was :;
revolutionary soldier and IS said to have served il
Washigtons army. lie settled In Monroe after
the Revolution, where he died. Both Winchel am
Peggy are buried in a cemetery about half mil,
from the monument.
The Monument Association comprises the mem
bers of the Post who reside in town. The follow
ing are the officers: ii. 5. Weber, President; III
{. Weber, Vice President; NJ. l.. Robertson, See
Rotary; Edwin Lufkin, Treasurer, Isaac r. Cook
| Jefferson Nealev, and Thomas r. Clements, Trus
tees. Upon these men the burden of the work ha
fallen, and right well have they performed thei
duty.
The following are the names of the soldiers u
| the war of the rebellion appearing on the monll
|